SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 7 hrs 45 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Martina Navratilova apologises after Aussie Open protest against Margaret Court

:Headline: Martina Navratilova apologises after Aussie Open protest against Margaret Court: ID:387900: from db_amp
After playing in a legends' match, Martina Navratilova got into the umpire's chair and called for the name of Margaret Court Arena to be changed.

Martina Navratilova has apologised for breaking Australian Open protocol by staging a protest calling for the name of Margaret Court Arena to be changed.

After playing in a legends’ match on Tuesday, Navratilova climbed into the umpire’s chair and began to speak about the issue.

The TV feed was abruptly cut but Navratilova and John McEnroe then paraded a banner made by her reading ‘Evonne Goolagong Arena’, the name they would like the stadium to adopt.

Court has been widely criticised for her very public opposition to gay marriage and her inflammatory statements on LGBTIQ issues, while Goolagong is a seven-time former grand slam singles champion and a trailblazer for Aboriginal tennis.

“The Australian Open has regulations and protocols with respect to how any fan, player or guest can use our facility”
-

Navratilova’s actions were met with a stern rebuke from Australian Open organisers, who said in a statement: “We embrace diversity, inclusion and the right for people to have a view, as well as their right to voice that view.

“But the Australian Open has regulations and protocols with respect to how any fan, player or guest can use our facility, the event and the global stage it provides. This is to ensure the integrity of our event.

“Two high-profile guests have breached these protocols and we are working through this with them.”

Speaking on Tennis Channel, for whom she is working during the tournament, Navratilova said: “I got in trouble.

“You name buildings after not what people just did on the court but also off the court”
- Martina Navratilova

“I am sorry I broke protocol, I had no idea there was this kind of protocol. Had I known I would have done it differently.

“But I would still have tried and made my statement, which is basically you name buildings after not what people just did on the court but also off the court, the whole body of work.

“I said my piece. You can read my whole statement, I stand by that, but I do apologise for breaking protocol. I did not mean to do that.”

McEnroe also apologised for his part in the protest in a statement read out by employer ESPN, saying: “Admittedly I was never one to study the rule book carefully or, for that matter, even at times abide by the rules.

“In this case, I was not aware of the Tennis Australia rules and protocol for issuing credentials. For that, I apologise to Tennis Australia and recognise and appreciate the great job they have done to make the Australian Open a great event for the fans, players and myself.”

Court was recognised with a short ceremony on Rod Laver Arena on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of her calendar Grand Slam.

It went off without incident bar the waving of a handful of rainbow flags. Court was presented with a replica trophy by Laver but was not given a microphone to address the crowd herself.

amp_article__387900 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-01-29 09:38:03:
html db last update - 2021-03-09 09:38:32 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Martina Navratilova

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .